LYDNEY Bus Station could be handed over to Dial-a-Ride as part of a shake-up which will see community transport propping up bus services in the Dean.

Several services could be axed all together and others replaced with new minibus services under the proposals expected to be given the go ahead tomorrow.

But some pensioners might have to pay and passengers on 10 of the Dean's 36 subsidised routes face fewer buses under the proposals by Gloucestershire County Council to shrink the timetable.

Services facing cuts include two of the three services which attracted the most attention during the review – the 24/24a and the 23 Coleford to Gloucester via various different villages.

Passengers on the 31, 714, 727, 710 also face longer waits but the 755 Lydney to Chepstow will be improved.

The 734 Lydney to Coleford and 735 Cinderford to Mitcheldean will be scrapped along with the most heavily subsidised service in the county, the 666.

Transport chiefs say it costs them £42 every time somebody catches the bus from Newent to Ross-on-Wye.

The first phase of a wholesale redesign of the county bus network aimed at saving £2 million will go to county council cabinet today.

Thirty-six subsidised services across the Dean have come under the spotlight.

Transport chiefs hope that using minibuses or cars to pick people up from their homes or designated stops by appointment will be cheaper.

But pensioners will only be able to use their free passes on timetabled routes and Lydney Dial-a-Ride currently charges between £4 and £7.80 return.

Forest transport campaigner Sue Dubois said: "We need to know the nitty gritty. The elephant in the room is the provision of community transport and until passengers know exactly what is being provided and the terms and conditions, particularly relating to concessionary passes, bus passengers in many areas will not feel safe.

"Any reduction in services such as the 23 will affect many people.

"The district council have set up a panel to look at transport but it is too late. As far as buses are concerned the horse has bolted."

In total the county looked at 132 subsidised services. Transport chiefs say renegotiating new contracts on 74 routes has saved £700,000. Another 41 are being looked at again. Seventeen face being redesigned and taken over by community transport.

Lydney Dial-a-Ride manager Louise Currie said she was pleased the county was looking to invest in community transport.

But she said: "Nothing has been confirmed or signed but we have been asked to be considered for a number of local services.

"Dial-a-Ride is only allowed to take concessionary passes on timetabled services."

Cabinet member Councillor Chas Fellows said: "In some cases, particularly rural areas, there's not enough demand for a traditional timetabled service but there is still a need for some form of transport to help get around. Community Transport can fill that gap and provide a more appropriate and sustainable service."